England to face Norway in FIFA World Cup quarter-final

Odds in England’s favor, support for Norway

On the world’s largest betting platform, Polymarket, 14% are betting that England will win the FIFA World Cup, while 6% are betting that Norway will win — ranked fourth and fifth respectively, behind France, Argentina and Spain.

The odds for Saturday’s quarter-final between Norway and England favour the latter, with 66% betting that England will advance to the semi-final (odds from Polymarket as of 7 July).

Norwegian football supporters have already won global attention with their chant, in which they row in unison like Vikings. Football supporters from other countries are joining the Norwegians after their own nations have been knocked out of the tournament. As the underdog, Norway may find itself with the support of the world behind it in the match against England. Read more about the Viking rowing here.

Neighbors and good friends

The quarter-final will be an especially exciting encounter, as Norway and England are good neighbors across the North Sea. The relationship may not have been quite as friendly just over 1,000 years ago, when the Vikings raided the British Isles, but in modern times the relationship has grown close and strong.

In 1905, the ties became especially close after Princess Maud, daughter of King Edward VII, became Queen of Norway after the union with Sweden was dissolved. Norway was forced into the Swedish union in 1814 after having been under Danish rule since 1537. The ties between England and Norway were further strengthened through the First and Second World Wars. Norway also enjoys strong support from Denmark, while Sweden does not quite share this enthusiasm for its neighboring country’s success in the FIFA World Cup.